Slide fastener



Dec. 24, 1940. M. GARRESON 2,226,095

SLIDE FASTENER Filed Feb. 23, 194.0 2 Sheets-Sheet l 10 26 za A/A/ 2.9a 19 Z4 26 f0 15 5 13 ,32 16 M. GARRISON SLIDE FASTENER Dec. 24, 1940.

Filed Feb. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 j a WA Patented Dec. 24, 1940' PATENT OFFICE SLIDE FASTENER Morris Garrison, Newark, N. J., assignor of onehalf to Herman Blank, Newark, N. J.

Application February 23, 1940, Serial No. 320,347

6 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in slide fasteners of the general type commonly called Zippers, and more particularly to slide fasteners for use on luggage.

In the various constructions of slide fasteners proposed heretofore, the locking elements have been attached directly to an edge of a strip of fabric, which strips are stitched to the complementary edges of a piece of luggage or travelling bag, for example. It is essential in the use of these prior constructions that the complementary edges carrying the Zipper be quite flexible or pliable in order that the locking elements can be moved into and out of locking position. Therefore, even though the characteristic of rigidity at these edges of the bag be desired to give added strength and to make the bag stand open better, this must be sacrificed if slide fasteners of the prior constructions are used.

With the foregoing in mind, it is one of the objects of my invention to provide an improved construction of slide fastener of the character referred to whereby the Zipper strips or units can be made entirely of metal, and can embody a rigid metal rail which in effect constitutes part of a rigid metal frame for the bag when my improved slide fastener or Zipper is assembled to the bag proper.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an improved construction of slide fastener of the character referred to which has advantages over those proposed heretofore in the way of durability and reliability of operation.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, an embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section, of a slide fastener constructed and operating in accordance with my invention, the section being taken on the line l-l in Fig. 2. and the locking elements being shown in interlocking relation;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, taken on the line 22 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is'a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the manner in which the locking elements are moved into and out of interlocking relation;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan View of one of the parts after a step in its manufacture;

Figs. 5 and 5a are sectional views such as would be taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4, showing this part after further steps in its manufacture;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of one of the lockin elements, the section being taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 6; 5

Fig. 9 is a top planview of the'slider element;

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the slider element;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line I I-ll in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a view looking upwardly in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevational view, showing one of the operating positions of my improved fastener.

In the drawings, the reference numerals l0 and l l designate two similar and complementary units comprising my improved slide fastener. Each unit comprises an L-shape, sheet-.metal strip l3 provided with uniformly spaced slots extending transversely thereof. A secondsheet-metal strip I5 has its edge I6 secured to the edge ll of the strip l3 by being folded over the latter, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2.

In making the strip l3, the slots 14 are first $5 punched out as shown in Fig. 4, after which the edge I1 is bent up and the edge l8 folded over upon itself to form a bead or guiding edge, as shown in Fig. 5.

The locking elements l9 are'of a conventional 30 construction, and each is provided at one end thereof with a recess 20 and with a projection 2| opposite the recess, and at its other end'with a hole 22 for receiving a flexible metallic element in the form of a coil spring 23 with afalrly snug fit.

In assembling the parts, the locking elements l9 are placed in row formation, substantially unifcrmly spaced from each other a distance equal to that between the center-lines of any two ad- 40 jacent slots H in the strip I3. by a spacing collar l9a which might be integral with the elements I9, and these elements are then inserted into the respective slots, as shown in Fig. 1. The coil spring is then inserted through the aligned holes (5 22 in the locking elements, to hold the latter in uniformly spaced relation with respect to each other. For the coil spring, it is proposed in some cases to use .075 inch steel wire, but other sizes might be found to be more desirable to meet 60 particular requirements.

The edge portion 24 of the strip I5 is bent back upon itself as shown more clearly in Fig. 2, and is beaded over at 25. A reenforcing wire 26 is provided for bead I8. 68

When. applied to a bag or other article, the units l0 and H are oppositely directed, as shown, with the secured edges l6 and I1 of the strips l3 and I5 adjacent each other.

A U-shape slider Mi bridges the L-shape strips l3, and has pivotally connected crosshead members 29, having a sliding fit on the beaded, guiding edges I 8. The slider is provided on the crosshead members thereof with cam surfaces 29a disposed and arranged as shown in Fig. 10, so that the cam surfaces can engage the adjacent ends of the locking elements IS. The slider may be provided with a perforated ear for attachment of a-tab or bail 32 by which the slider may be moved.

In the operation of my improved slide fastener, as the slider 28 is moved upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, the cam surfaces 29a engage the adjacent ends of about three or four of the elements I 9 to force them different distances outwardly. In this way, the coil spring 23 is flexed at these elements, to spread them out in a fanlike manner, as shown in Fig. 3, and permit movement of the elements I9 into interlocking relation. As the slider passes on, the coil springs and the locking elements straighten out and become securely interlocked, as shown in Fig. 1, with the edges I6 engaging to form a seal. As the slider is moved downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3,- in the unlocking operation, 'a cam-like part 32a which which the slider is provided at the longitudinal center-line thereof, becomes inserted between the spread-out elements [9 to separate the units I0 and l I.

A side l9b of the locking elements I9 is concave, to provide for the necessary clearance for the movement of these elements into and out of interlocking relation with respect to each other.

The clearances and the relative shapes and dimensions of the various parts are made such as to cause the locking and unlocking action of the fastener to be smooth, and to give the required strength for any particular application.

It will be understood that various modifications within the conception of those skilled in the art, are possible without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a slide fastener, a relatively rigid metal strip provided with uniformly spaced slots extending transversely thereof, locking elements disposed respectively in said slots for sliding movement relatively with respect to said strip into and out of locking position, and means common with respect to said elements for supporting the same for such movement.

2. In a slide fastener; two similar and complementary units each comprising an Lshape sheet-metal strip provided with uniformly spaced slots extending transversely thereof, a second sheet-metal strip having an edge thereof secured to an edge of said L-shape strip, the other edge of said L-shape strip being beaded, locking elements disposed respectively in said slots and having a sliding lit therein and a sliding fit between said strips, and coil springs extending respectively through said elements and holding the same in assembled relation; said units being oppositely directed with said secured edges of said strips adjacent each other, and a slider bridging said L-shape strips and having a sliding fit on said beaded edges thereof, said slider being provided with cam surfaces for engaging the adjacent ends of said elements as the slider is moved in one direction whereby said springs are flexed to spread the engaged elements and advance them for movement into locking position, said slider being provided at the longitudinal center-line thereof with a cam-like part disposed for insertion between the spread-out elements to separate said units during the unlocking action as said slider is moved in the opposite direction.

3. In a slide fastener; two similar and complementary units each comprising an L-shape sheet-metal strip provided with uniformly spaced slots extending transversely thereof, a second sheet-metal strip having an edge thereof secured to an edge of said L-shape strip, the other edge of said L-shape strip forming a guide edge, locking elements disposed respectively in said slots and having a sliding fit therein and a sliding fit between said strips, and a flexible metallic member extending through said elements and holding the same in assembled relation; said units being oppositely directed with said secured edges of said strips adjacent each other, and a slider bridging said L-shape strips and having a sliding fit on said guiding edges thereof, said slider being provided with cam surfaces for engaging the adjacent ends of said elements as the slider is moved in one direction whereby said members are flexed to spread the engaged elements and advance them for movement into locking position, said slider being provided at the longitudinal center-line thereof with a cam-like part disposed for insertion between the spread-out elements to separate said units during the unlocking action as said slider is moved in the opposite direction.

4. In a slide fastener; two similar and complementary units each comprising an L-shape sheet-metal strip provided with uniformly spaced slots extending transversely thereof, a second sheet-metal strip having an edge thereof secured to an edge of said L-shape strip, the other edge of said L-shape strip forming a guide edge, locking elements disposed respectively in said slots and having a sliding fit therein and a sliding fit between said strips, and coil springs extending respectively through said elements and holding the same in assembled relation; said units being oppositely directed with said secured edges of said strips adjacent each other, and a slider bridging said L-shape strips and having a sliding fit on said guiding edges thereof, said slider being provided with cam surfaces for engaging the adjacent ends of said elements as the slider is moved in one direction whereby said springs are flexed to spread the engaged elements and advance them for movement into locking position, said slider being provided at the longitudinal center-line thereof with a camlike part disposed for insertion between the spread-out elements to separate said units during the unlocking action as said slider is moved in the opposite direction.

5. In a slide fastener; two similar and complementary units each comprising an L-shape sheet-metal strip provided with uniformly spaced slots extending transversely thereof, a second sheet-metal strip having an edge thereof secured to an edge of said L-shape strip, the other edge of said L-shape strip being beaded, locking elements disposed respectively in said slots, and having a sliding fit therein and a sliding fit between said strips, and flexible metallic members extending respectively through said elements and holding the same in assembled relation; said units being oppositely directed with said secured edges of said strips adjacent each other, and a slider bridging said L-shape strips and having a sliding fit on said beaded edges thereof, said slider being provided with cam surfaces for engaging the-adjacent ends of said elements as the slider is moved in one direction whereby said members are flexed to spread the engaged elements and advance them for movement into locking position, said slider being provided at the longitudinal center-line thereof with a cam-like part disposed for insertion between the spread-out elements to separate said units during the unlocking action as said slider is moved in the opposite direction.

6. In a slide fastener, a relatively rigid metal strip provided with uniformly spaced slots extending transversely thereof. locking elements disposed respectively in said slots for sliding MORRIS GARRISON. 

